MIRIS: Science Programs

The main payload of Science and Technology Satellite 3 (STSAT-3), Multipurpose InfraRed Imaging System (MIRIS) is the first Korean infrared space mission to explore the near-infrared sky with a small astronomical instrument developed by KASI. The 8-cm passively cooled telescope with a wide field of view (3.67 deg. ${\times}$ 3.67 deg.) will be operated in the wavelength range from 0.9 to $2{\mu}m$. It will carry out wide-band imaging and the Paschen-${\alpha}$ emission line survey. After the calibration of MIRIS in our laboratory, MIRIS has been delivered to SaTReC and successfully assembled into the STSAT-3. The main purposes of MIRIS are to perform the observation of Cosmic Infrared Background (CIB) at two wide spectral bands (I and H band) and to survey the Galactic plane at $1.88{\mu}m$ wavelength, the Paschen-${\alpha}$ emission line. CIB observation enables us to reveal the nature of degree-scale CIB fluctuation detected by the IRTS (Infrared Telescope in Space) mission and to measure the absolute CIB level. The MIRIS will continuously monitor the seasonal variation of the zodiacal light towards the both north and south ecliptic poles for the purpose of calibration as well as the effective removal of zodiacal light. The Pashen-${\alpha}$ emission line survey of Galactic plane helps us to understand the origin of Warm Ionized Medium (WIM) and to find the physical properties of interstellar turbulence related to star formation. Here, we also discuss the observation plan with MIRIS.